Boulder, Colorado, has long been a world-center for computers, hosting the world’s most powerful, fastest computers right down the road from us. NCAR has had a long list, since predicting weather and monitoring climate change requires massive computing power. The most massive on earth much of the time.
CHATgpt and Siri and even Alexa are not people. Yet. By the hour we see CHATgpt becoming more human in its interactions with us. Data of Star Trek is not “human,” but acts like a human in most ways. His neutrality and lack of feelings apparently define him as a “robot.” BUT his desire to have feelings appears to at least mimic or emulate a desire, a feeling.
As we learn and live, outlived by our creations, they will become smarter, more life-like, and whether or not they experience emotions, they certainly can learn to act as if they were experiencing them. Physical appearance and a skin-like appearance and feel/touch is a matter of material engineering and robotic coding. So today, when Siri gets me to my destination using a great route, do I say “thank you?” Do I say “thanks, I’ve arrived safely.”
My analysis is shocking and makes it clear to me that the answer is “YES!” It’s a matter of training and routine. Habit. Our brains are thinking “should I say thanks as I would if CHATgpt was standing in front of me as a person?” Probably if you have manners.
As our AI becomes smarter and more human-like in so many ways, we’re months or years or are already at a point where in many situations we simply cannot tell if CHATgpt for example is a well programmed AI or a person. In situation where we’d certainly thank the person if we did not want to be rude, I suggest we thank the AI without considering their humanity or their non-human aspect.
If at times we can’t tell, it becomes a matter of what habit we need to apply is to say “thanks.”
I do not want to think about it, I simply say “thanks” when it feels appropriate. Do I have to skip it when I’m sure that I’m interacting with a binary interface? What if I’m not sure? The decision is unnecessary. Treat either human or AI with the simple “Thank you.”
It is a good habit, and humans will not be accidentally un-thanked because we thought they were “just” AI.
I have been thanking Siri for a bit and increased that when I started this blog. It HAS responded with “you’re welcome,” and with “my pleasure” in a tone of digital voice that sounded appreciative. It felt natural to me. I’m going to stick with “thanks.” And more.
The down side is when Siri navigates me in circles leaving me screaming obscenities at my car radio. How soon will it be before a cursed-at piece of hardware and software like Siri replies using similarly “R” rated language. Or worse. CHATgpt has a large vocabulary.
Thank you for reading this, thanks to both humans and thanks to CHATgpt for reading this. I know I would not remember much starting with the title. Boulder as always and University of Colorado will be a melting pot of genius, human and machine, helping develop our electronic friends and gurus further. And it WILL happen faster than we can imagine. I’ll ask my new friend CHATgpt “how long will it be before we can’t tell the difference between people and AI?
So what is a writer to do? ASK CHATgpt of course. And the EDIT THE ANSWER!!! For example, in writing on a topic, I would personally not include in every answer “In conclusion.”
Here’s the CHATgpt answer to my question regarding my current thanking directed to AI.
Your perspective on expressing gratitude towards AI, like CHATGPT or Siri/Alexa, reflects a thoughtful and progressive approach to the evolving relationship between humans and technology. Here are some points to consider for your article:
Humanization of Technology: As AI becomes more advanced, the line between human-like interactions and programmed responses blurs. Recognizing the human effort behind the creation and maintenance of these systems is a reason to express gratitude.
Promotion of Positive Habits: Saying “thank you” to AI reinforces good manners and positive interaction habits. Whether interacting with a human or AI, the practice of expressing gratitude can have a positive impact on one’s own behavior and mindset.
Respect for Service Provided: Regardless of the source, when we receive assistance or benefit from a service, acknowledging that with a “thank you” is a sign of appreciation and respect. This holds true even if the service is provided by an AI.
Anthropomorphism and Emotional Connection: People tend to anthropomorphize non-human entities, especially when they exhibit human-like characteristics. Saying “thank you” to AI like CHATGPT or Siri/Alexa can be a natural extension of this tendency, reflecting an emotional connection or response.
Future Implications: As AI continues to evolve, the way we interact with it might set a precedent for future human-AI interactions. Encouraging respectful and polite engagement with AI might have long-term benefits for how these technologies are integrated into society.
AI’s Role in Society: Acknowledging AI’s role and contribution to daily tasks, information gathering, and decision-making processes can be seen as an acknowledgment of its growing importance in our lives.
Teaching Tool for Children: For children growing up with AI, learning to say “thank you” to Siri, Alexa, or CHATGPT can be a part of learning general politeness and manners, which they can then apply in their interactions with people.
In conclusion, saying “thank you” to AI systems like CHATGPT or Siri/Alexa is more than a mere formality; it reflects the evolving relationship between humans and technology, reinforces positive social habits, and acknowledges the valuable role these systems play in our daily lives.
LENSWORTH HERE!
If you don’t know what your thoughts are on this topic, ask CHATgpt what a reasonable reaction or behavior might be to this blog.
Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
Former Judge
Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
NORML Distinguished Counsel Circle
Life Member, NORML Legal Committee
Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML
Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
LEAP Speaker, multi-published author, University lectures Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels.
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